Political commentary from the LA Times

National Portrait Gallery's halo for Eunice Kennedy Shriver

August 11, 2009 | 3:51
am

The death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver brings to mind a lovely gesture this spring by the National Portrait Gallery in Washington. In May the gallery unveiled what you see above, "Rare Halo Display: A Portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver," by David Lenz.

At the time, Martin E. Sullivan, director of the museum, said in a statement: "Mrs. Shriver’s founding of Special Olympics has provided people who are intellectually disabled opportunities to thrive in our society. Her efforts have transformed the lives of individuals worldwide; millions of athletes in 180 countries participate annually in Special Olympics games."

It was the first portrait commissioned by the museum of an individual who has not served as a president or first lady.